The predaceous mite Neoseiulus californicus is one of the major biological control agents of tetranychids in greenhouses of several countries. The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is one of the main pests affecting rose (Rosa spp.) cultures in Brazil. Chemical methods are used for its control, causing a significant environmental impact. Thus, this work aimed to study the predatory potential of N. californicus as an agent of biological control of T. urticae on roses. For the predatory capacity studies, 40 T. urticae mites /arenas of Jack bean leaves (Canavalia ensiformis) were offered to one specimen of each life stage of N. californicus. The adult females were the most efficient in preying upon immature stages, followed by nymphs. For the functional and numerical responses, adult females of N. californicus were confined to arenas made of Jack-bean leaves, and offered immature stages of T. urticae at the following densities: 0

This study evaluated the predatory capacity of Euseius alatus (DeLeon) as a biological control agent of the pest mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) on coffee leaves under laboratory conditions, using arenas containing 25 O. ilicis per coffee (Coffea arabica) leaf to one specimen of each stage of the predator mite. The functional response and oviposition rate of adult females of E. alatus were evaluated on coffee leaf arenas and offered from 1 to 125 immature stages of O. ilicis per arena. The number of preys killed and the number of eggs laid by the predator were evaluated every 24 h during 8 days. The preys consumed were daily replaced. Male and female adults of E. alatus were the most efficient in killing all developmental stages of O. ilicis. Larvae and nymphs of O. ilicis were the most consumed by all stages of the predatory mite. The functional response and oviposition rates of E. alatus increased as the prey density increased, with a positive and highly significant correlation. Regression analysis suggested a type II functional response, with a maximum predation of 22 O. ilicis/arena and a maximum oviposition rate of 1.7 eggs/day at a density of 70 O. ilicis/arena.

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Mites belonging to the family Phytoseiidae are the most important and most widely studied among predatory mites of phytophagous mites. The phytophagous mites Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Tenuipalpidae) and Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Tetranychidae) on coffee (Coffea spp.), are frequently found in combination with the predaceous mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, 1972; Euseius alatus DeLeon, 1966 and Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant, 1959) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), among others. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of the product Cyazypyr TM (cyantraniliprole 100 OD) on these three species of Phytoseiidae, relevant to coffee, citrus and other agricultural crops in Brazil, following standard laboratory procedures. Mated female mites were exposed to fresh-dried residues on a glass surface, with 8 treatments, 5 mites per glass plate and 6 replicates, in a completely randomized experimental design. Each test lasted eight days, with a daily count of the surviving females and of eggs laid. Cyazypyr TM , in all tested doses (75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 g a.i./ha), was selective for the studied species, A. herbicolus, I. zuluagai, and E. alatus. Overall the treatments resulted in low mortality rates and negligible impact on the reproduction. Therefore, based on IOBC standards, Cyazypyr TM can be classified as not harmful (class 1) or slightly harmful (class 2), comparable to the agrochemical Talento TM (hexythiazox 500 WP-12 g a.i./ha) equivalent to a harmless standard of selectivity in the laboratory. Cyazypyr TM is therefore a complement to programs of integrated pest management, to preserve the populations of predatory mites in crops of coffee and citrus, among others, in Brazil.

The species of mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Tetranychidae) is an important pest of dicotyledonous plants, cosmopolitan and polyphagous, reported in seven countries from four continents, feeding on 34 plant species of 15 families. The spider mite O. ilicis is known in Brazil as coffee red spider mite, and as southern red mite most in other countries. In Brazil O. ilicis has been reported as the second most important pest of "Conillon" coffee, Coffea canephora Pierre & Froehner, in the state of Espírito Santo. Depending on the number of mites per leaf of arabica coffee, Coffea arabica L., the rate of potential photosynthesis can be reduced by 37% to 50%. In the present study, it was investigated the potential of the two predatory mites which, among others, naturally occurs in coffee plantations, Euseius alatus DeLeon and Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Phytoseiidae), in the control of O. ilicis in coffee plants. It was used potted coffee plants in this research, with approximately 100 cm high, growing in a greenhouse covered with transparent plastic and shading material of 50% sun protection factor, and with fine mesh on all the sides.Results showed that both species of predatory mites, A. herbicolus and E. alatus, are efficient in reducing the mobile phases-larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults-of the southern red mite O. ilicis. So, the importance of conservation and increase number of these predatory mites in the field coffee growing is essential for implementing the southern red mite integrated management tactic, since these species are of natural occurrence in coffee plants.